MONTGOMERY – Governor Bob Riley announced on Wednesday the appointment of three new members to the Environmental Management Commission.

Members of the commission are charged with developing the state’s environmental policies, adopting environmental protection regulations and hearing administrative appeals of permits and orders issued by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

The three new members are:· Dr. James Laier, Associate Dean of the University of South Alabama’s College of Engineering and CEO of Southern Earth Services, Inc. Dr. Laier is a registered professional engineer in 10 states and will fill the position on the Environmental Management Commission that is reserved for an engineer. He began his career in geotechnical engineering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over 40 years ago. He received a Ph.D. in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Florida in 1973.

· Dr. Marquita Davis, Director of the Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs since September 2008. Prior to serving as head of the department, she was the Director of the state’s Office of School Readiness and led the Head Start program for the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity. Dr. Davis received her Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education and Development from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1998. She fills the vacancy on the commission for an at-large seat.

· Dr. Samuel L. Miller, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who lives in Montgomery. He received his medical degree from UAB in 1977. Dr. Miller is currently affiliated with Baptist Medical Center South, Baptist Medical Center East and Montgomery Surgical Center. Dr. Miller is appointed to the seat on the Environmental Management Commission reserved for a physician.

Dr. Laier and Dr. Miller replace members on the commission whose terms have expired. Dr. Davis is filling a vacant seat on the commission.

“All three of these individuals are very well qualified to serve on this important commission. I’m confident each of them will do an excellent job working on the commission to safeguard Alabama’s environment,” said Governor Riley.

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